Apparatus for scoring flat bodies such as lids and end closures for cans and like containers



April 30, 1957 a w s 2,790,408

APPARATUS FOR SCORING FLAT BODIES SUCH AS LIDS AND END CLOSURES FOR CANS AND LIKE CONTAINERS Filed June 9, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

INVENTOR BENN O WALENSKY ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 B. WALENSKY 2,790,408

APPARATUS FOR SCORING FLAT BODIES SUCH AS LIDS AND END CLOSURES FOR CANS AND LIKE CONTAINERS Filed June 9, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

I N VEN TOR BENNO WAL E NSKY BY W 6 ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 B. WALENSKY 2,790,408

APPARATUS FOR SCORING FLAT BODIES SUCH AS LIDS AND END CLOS Filed June 9, 1951 URES FOR CANS AND LIKE CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR I BENNO WALENSKY ATTORNEYS United States Patent APPARATUS FOR SCORING FLAT BODIES SUCH AS LIDS AND END CLOSURES FOR CANS AND LIKE CONTAINERS Benno Walensky, London, England Application June 9, 1051, Serial No. 230,742

3 Claims. (Cl. 113-15) This invention relates to apparatus for producing scores or weakening grooves in flat plates, more especially in the lids or end closures for containers to facilitate the opening of such containers after the lids or end closures have been applied thereto.

The invention is more particularly concerned with tool component assemblies for this purpose, applied to, or for application to, a press, one of such assemblies having as the tool component a scoring knife, and the other having as the tool component a pressure or counter-pressure element provided with rolling elements to co-operate with the scoring knife in producing the score.

The invention is especially concerned with too] component assemblies of the above mentioned character as applied to a press in which one of the tool components is a rotary component, and wherein such rotary component is mounted on the lower part or bed of the press and is driven from any suitable source of power.

One principal object of the invention is, in a press.

equipped with tool component assemblies, as last set forth, to provide for a dwell after closure together of the two co-operating tool components on to the lid or plate to be scored, and prior to separation of said components, in

operation of the press, so that the score track will be' rolled by the rolling elements on the pressure or counterpressure element for suflicient length of time to ensure the production of a satisfactory score with an even thickness of material below the score.

It is another principal object of the invention to provide roller elements for acting upon a scoring knife with a lid to be scored therebetween and a pressure plate acting upon the rollers and applying scoring force directly to the outer periphery of the roller elements. As this scoring force is balanced the load on the bearings of the roller elements, if such bearings are incorporated, is limited to any unbalance of the force and the roller elements float with very little bearing reaction or bear-- to the bed of the press being a rotary component, and,

means are provided for ensuring that when the co-operating tool components have closed together on to the lid or plate to be scored, in operation of the press, further relative axial movement between them is delayed, so that a dwell occurs which allows for adequate rolling of the score track by the rolling elements provided on the pressure or counter-pressure element, before the tool components separate.

" Where the tool component assemblies are applied to Patented Apr. 30, 1957 ice a cam-operated press, the dwell may be produced by utilising a suitably shaped operating cam for the press.

Alternatively, and also where the tool component assemblies are applied to a crank-operated press, the dwell may be produced by including in either or both of the tool component assemblies, elastic means, such as one or more springs, a dash-pot bumper, air or water cushion or the like, which provide for a give in either or both of the tool components after they close together, so that they can then move to some extent as a unit.

By pre-loading or adjusting the elastic means, the pressure between the co-operating tool components can be pre-set.

Examples of the tool component assemblies according to the invention are illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings in which to avoid duplication of the figures, the two tool components are shown in part in each component assembly figure to illustrate converse applications of the tool components.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of a tool component assembly for application to the ram of a press; the left half of the figure shows the scoring knife mounted on the ram and the right half shows the rolling elements mounted thereon to illustrate the reversibility of the two elements.

Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section ofa tool assembly applied to the bed of a press for co-operation with the tool assembly shown in Figure 1; the left hand part of the figure cooperating with the left hand part of Figures 1, 4, 5 or 6 and the right hand part of the figure cooperating with the right hand part of Figures 1, 4, 5 or 6 to illustrate the reversibility of mounting of the scoring knife and roller elements on either the bed or the ram of a press.

Figure 3 shows in elevation partly in section a modi-' fied form of the assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate in sectional elevation three alternative forms of tool assemblies for application to the ram of the press the left hand part of each figure showing the roller elements mounted thereon and the right hand portion showing the scoring knife mounted thereon.

In one example, the tool component assembly to be applied to the ram of the press comprises, as shown in Figure 1, a disc or plate 1 provided with a shank 2 to fit into a bore in the ram of the press, the plate 1 having attached thereto a scoring knife 3, the scoring or cutting edge of which is directed downwards. The scoring knife 3 is shaped to produce the required shape of score. In the present example it is annular or circular.

, The tool component assembly to be applied to the bed of the press comprises, as shown in Figure 2 (left hand side) a rotary disc 4 supporting a cage or carrier 5 for rolling elements 6 such as rollers or balls and secured on a vertical driving shaft 7 which is mounted in ball or roller bearings 8 in a central bore of a non-rotary support 9 of circular cross section arranged for vertical sliding movement in a cylindrical housing 10 and urged upwards by a helical compression spring 11, which beds at its lower end on a screwed plug 12 screwed into the It will be appreciated that the cage 5 extends around the top of the disc 4, and carries another set-or several other sets of rollers or balls 6.

The spring-urged axially movable support 9 has an outwardly directed flange 9' intermediate of its ends, and iti is reduced in diameter as at 9" below the flange.

The flange 9"- is provided with ribs or keys 15 which slide in vertical" guide channels 16 in -the--inne-r wall of the housing 10 to the axially movable support 9 thus being guided inits vertical sliding movement and being prevented from rotating: V

The springll'surrounds the reduced lower end 9" of the axially movable support 9.

The rotary disc 4 is mounted on ballor'roller bearings 17 on-the top of-the axially movable support'fik.

The housing 10 is-internally screw threaded, and 'a-ringor outwards, within the housinglfl, the pressure of the spring 11 can be adjusted.

The ring 18 may be replaced by an inwardly directed rib or flange onthe housing 10.

The driving shaft 7 I is. connected with the driving mechanism (not shown) by means of a keyed connection which permits the shaft 7 to move-axially without interrupting' the driving connection.

In operation, when the ram of the-press descends and the scoring knife 3 and rolling elements 6 are thus brought together, with the inserted lid or plate to be scored between said knife and "rolling elements, they then move together as a whole against theaction of thespring 11, in the completion of the downward movementof'theram, so causing a dwell during the end of'the down stroke and the beginning of the up stroke which. allows the rolling elements 6 to roll over the track of the score sufiiciently to ensure a satisfactory scorewith an even'thickness of material below the score, before the pressing components separate.

A stop, which'may be a ring 19, asshown on the right hand side of Figure 2, is mounted on ,the rotary disc 4 on which the outer rolling elements 6' abut, to predetermine the clearance between the edge of the'knife 3 and the inner rolling elements 6, when the knife and rollingelements close together, so determining the thickness ofthe material left below the score.

This thickness may bevaried'by adjusting the height of the stop 19 orthe extent of projection of the scoring knife 3, by means of shims for example, or by making the knife or stop adjustable by means of screw-threaded mountings.

Instead ar nsing t e knife 3.01 the aman the press, and themembercarrying the rolling elemepts 6 on the bed 13 of the press, the converse arrangement can be adopted, the knife 3, in such case, then being mounted on -the rotary disc 4, as shown onrth'e right hand side .of'

Figure 2, so that the knife is rotated.

In another example shown in Figure 3, the driving shaft 7 for the rotary disc 4 is provided with a belt pulley 20' which runs on ball or roller 'bearingsz'l on the top ofthe housing ltlas shown on the right hand side of the figure, or On a ring 22 fixed in the open top of the housing 10 and bedding on an inward internal shoulder 23 thereon, asshownon the left handside of the figure, so that the drive can be'transm'itted by a belt from theside of the press.

The driving shaft 7 in this example terminates short of the bottom plug 12 for the housing: 10 and is provided with a collar '23 between .whichwand' a disc-24 a ball pr roller bearing 25 -is provided, the spring ilbearing-at its upper end against the dis'e24, and having its lower portion accommodated i n-a cavity '26 in the plug 1 2' for thehot-tomof thediol si ig '10. i

The pulley 20 has a hollow depending hub 27 running inabearingbush zafinedntthinthe hou in 10. or Wit n the ring 22 in the housing so centreing the pulley 20.

The shaft 7 has a keyed connection 29 with the pulley as so that the shaft can slide through the pulley without interrupting the drive.

Instead of a belt and pulley drive, a sprocket wheel and chain drive, or a geared drive can be adopted in this example.

As an" alternative to the example. previously described, the elastic means may be provided inthe tool component assembly for: application tov the. ram of the press.

In one example of such an alternative as shown in Figure 4-a-- helical compression spring 11. is arranged within a cylindrical housing 30 which is screwed into a carrier plate 31 provided with a shank 2 to fit into a bore in the ram of the press.

The spring housing 30 is open at the bottom, and is provided, at the bottom." with an outwardly directed flange 30 A cyclindricalholder 32.which is closed at the bottom is pr-ovided to .support-thetooh element which may bep the cage 5 with the rolling elements .6, as, shown on the left hand side ofthe figure, or if preferred, the scoring knife 3, asshown onthe right hand side of-the figure, such holder 32":havingv an .internalqdiametersuch that'it will pass freely overhthe: bottom flange 3.0: on the spring A housing-31in v housing '30.

By screwingthe sleeve 33 in or outthe compression ofthe spring 11 can be adjusted.

The sleeve 33 may have a top flange 33' provided with radial holes-34sfor atfTomi'ny bar to facilitate its rotation-u The fiange 30' on thespring housing 3.0 is provided withzribs or "keys 351:0 engage. slidably in vertical guidechannels 36 in the inner wall of the holder 32 so that th'e 'holderis guided infits vertical sliding movement but is prevented fromi'rotating.

The. holder 32 is flat on its underside to bed .the.to.ol

component-6 or-3,1and may be shouldered externally .to facilitate attachment of the tool :cornponent.

In another example shown in Figure 5 the spring 11 is arranged-texternally betwcen thecarrierplate 31 fitted tot-he farm ofthe press and the=holder 32. for the tool component6 0&3;

' The ca-rrier plate 31 has a downwardly depending hollow shank 3;, which is a sliding fit inan upwardly directed' reducedcylindrical extension 32' of .the holder 32.

- 1 The spring 11 surrounds this extension 32 and boats at 'one end'against the car-rier plate 31 and at the other end one shoulder 32" formed by the reduced extension of the holder .32.

A screwed-bolt- 371s passed centrally through the holder 32 and through the depending hollowshank- 3-1 of the carrier-plate 31,'such shank having a closed bottom 31'', with-'-. an, opening formed therein for the passage .of the bolt 37 i i l The bolt 37'screwsinto anut -38 arranged within the hollow sh-arileSl' "of the carrier plate -31.

' A recess -3 9'--is provided in the bottom of the holder 32 toaccopgmodate the head 37 of the bolt' 37. The-nut38 is keyed {to the-hollow shank'-31' as-at 40 toprevent said nut-frpm rotating and the hollow shank 3 1"is=provided with-ribsor -key's- 41'to engage slidably in vertical slots in the extension 32 of tlie holder 32.

so that the holder 32 can slide on the shank 31 but is prevented from rotating.

By screwing the bolt 37 in or out, the holder 32 slides axially on the hollow shank 31' so adjusting the compression of the spring 11.

More than one spring can be used.

In a further example shown in Figure 6, having a central bolt 37 screw-threaded for part of its length only from the end for adjusting the compression of the spring, the spring 11 is arranged in a housing 31' formed integrally with the carrier plate 31 and open at the lower end.

The housing 31 slides in an upwardly directed extension 32' provided on the holder 32 as in the previous example.

The spring 11 bears at its lower end on the bottom of the holder 32, within the upwardly directed extension 32' and the nut 38 is arranged within a bore 42 in the upwardly directed shank 2 of the carrier plate 31, and is keyed in said bore the bottom of which is closed but provided with an opening for the passage of the bolt.

The head 37 of the bolt 37 is accommodated in a cavity 39 in the bottom of the holder 32.

A screw cap 43 is screwed into the cavity 39 to prevent the bolt moving axially downwards should the nut 38 become jammed, the screw cap 43 having an opening 44 in its base for the passage of an operating key.

In the first two examples described adjustment of the spring loading does not alter the setting of the tool components.

While there has been presented above several embodiments of the invention, now believed to be preferred, many variations will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. All these different forms which fall within the spirit of the invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims wherein generic terms are employed for the express purpose ofincluding the many equivalent structures by which the present results may be obtained.

What I claim is:

1. In combination in a press of standard construction having cooperating bed and ram members arranged for the automatic, large quantity production scoring of sheet metal ends for containers for standard pack canning, rotatable mounting means carried by one of said cooperating members, a first tool component assembly having a scoring knife as a tool component, a second tool component assembly having roller elements as a tool component, one of said assemblies being mounted on said rotatable mounting means carried by one said cooperating member and the other of said cooperating members comprising a disc member mounted for applying scoring force to the peripheries of said roller elements.

2. In combination a tool assembly for the quantity production scoring of sheet metal closures for standard pack containers comprising a first tool component assembly having a scoring knife and stop means providing a closed path element spaced from and projecting beyond the scoringedge of said knife, a second tool component assembly having roller elements with means to mount them for rotation and means providing an annu-- lar surface in rolling. contact with said elements, shaft means for aligning said tool component assemblies with the roller elements in rolling. contact with said annular surface on one side of said elements and said closed path element diametrically opposite therefrom whereby balanced forces cause said roller elements substantially to float in the said means to mount themfor rotation.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2, means to rotate one of said tool component assemblies with respect to the other said tool component assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 30, 1943 

